Creativity for Depression 🎨

Can Creativity Give Us Greater Energy and Joy?

Today we’re going to make time and space to be creative. But more than just paint or dance, we’re going to connect with the heart of our inner creativity.

Particularly if you’ve been feeling down, low or depressed lately, consider that time in, and a perspective of greater creativity might support you in easily feeling new life, more energy and happier.

The Potential Health Benefits of Art and Creativity are Numerous…

Creativity can be healing, and so people with mood disorders may instinctively turn to art to help themselves cope or heal. Some potential benefits of art and creativity for mental health include:

• Reduced stress
• Better coping skills
• Decreased depression and anxiety
• Improved memory
• Increased resilience
• Better self-esteem
• Improved trauma-coping

While it’s not black and white and current research exploring the connection between creativity and mental health is nuanced and complex. [3] We do know that getting free, having fun and being creative, is a great gift of Self-Love and Self-Courage. So let’s dive in today.

Your Inner Creativity Workout 💪 Try a Creativity Date this Week!

Today’s Guide is inspired by The Artist’s Way, and author Julia Cameron.

Julia Cameron believes in a universal creative force that individuals can tap into to enhance their creativity and overall fulfillment for all of life!

Artist dates involve solo activities like exploring new places or engaging in creative pursuits to inspire and reflect on one's thoughts and emotions. Solitude is emphasized as a time for recharging and deepening the connection with the inner artist. [1]

Experts agree that alone time, reframed as solitude, can boost creativity, self-understanding, mood, and social energy, despite potential challenges individuals may face in embracing it. [2]

1. Brainstorm Artist (Creativity) Date Ideas. Come up with at least 10 artist date ideas. You can categorize them by budget too:
   1. Free Dates:
      1. Walking around a new neighborhood and creating a hand-drawn map
      2. Visiting a local park for a sketching session
      3. Having a DIY art session with materials you already own
   2. Low-Budget Dates:
      1. Preparing a personal picnic for the beach
      2. Attending a free community art workshop
      3. Exploring a street art tour in your city
   3. Mid-Budget Dates:
      1. Purchasing a new candle or decorative item from a thrift store
      2. Trying out a new art class or workshop
   4. High-Budget Dates:
      1. Treating yourself to a visit at an art exhibition in the nearest city
      2. Booking a creative retreat or workshop weekend
2. Choose a Date Based on Budget. Assess your current budget and select a date from the list that fits within your means.
   1. If you can splurge right now, opt for a high-budget date.
   2. If you're on a tight budget, go for a free or low-budget date.
3. Record Your Selected Date. Note down the chosen artist date to keep track of your plans and commitments.
4. Consider Logistics. Determine what arrangements are necessary to make the artist date happen.
   1. Check for any scheduling conflicts with partners, family, or friends.
   2. Arrange for childcare if needed.
   3. Ensure transportation is available if the date requires it.
   4. Prepare any materials or resources required for the date in advance.
5. Incorporate Into Routine. Set a specific date and time for your artist date in your schedule. Treat it as a non-negotiable appointment with yourself. Make sure to follow through and prioritize this time for your creative well-being.
6. Enjoy Your Artist Date!!!! Fully immerse yourself in the experience and let your creative energy flow. Reflect on how the artist date has impacted your creativity and overall well-being afterward.

I love making Fenix videos. They are my number 1 creative outlet.

I spend hours making Fenix videos 😁

And yes some take just a few moments. A cute prance, matched with a cute song, and a whole lot of color saturation 🤣 and boom… we have today’s video.

But I have taken a few hours or more on a single post. Matching various footage together. Synchronizing music. Creating voiceover and or captions. Filtering, effects and more.

It truly is like making a painting for me. I get SUCH JOY in having an idea – an inspiration of a particular memory, or song, or life coaching idea – and then creating a video around it.

So trust yourself and your life – what do you find yourself doing and really enjoying. And can you do more of it?! Allow yourself to be immersed and spontaneous with it?! Make a date out of it?! So you can slow down, have time and deeply enjoy it 😁

We love you! Dr. Zoë, Fenix and Ellie 🥰